The thermoluminescence (TL) behaviour of a group of burnt flints from a prehistoric site in North Italy has been studied. Due to incomplete burning or non-reproducible results only three samples could be reliably dated. The flints have been studied through electron microscopy with microprobe, X-ray diffraction and TL, also wavelength resolved. A new type of preparation using a hydraulic press avoids modifications of the natural TL signal. The effects of acid etching were also studied. All the samples turned out to be composed of microquartz and megaquartz. The glow-curves gave indication of incomplete burning through the appearance of a peak at about 450 degrees C (heating rate 8 degrees C s(-1)), contrary to the well-annealed samples that presented a composite peak in the 280-380 degrees C region. Encouraging results have been obtained in the analysis of the TL emission spectra. Three emission regions have been detected: 260-330 nm, 350-500 nm and 580-640 nm. While only the middle one is usually detected by conventional 2D instrumentation, also the UV region could be probably proposed for dating burnt flint
Martini, M., Sibilia, E., Croci, S. (1999). Glow curves and emission spectra of burnt flints. QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS, 18(2), 287-292 [10.1016/S0277-3791(98)00061-4].
Glow curves and emission spectra of burnt flints
Martini, M;Sibilia, E;
1999
Abstract
The thermoluminescence (TL) behaviour of a group of burnt flints from a prehistoric site in North Italy has been studied. Due to incomplete burning or non-reproducible results only three samples could be reliably dated. The flints have been studied through electron microscopy with microprobe, X-ray diffraction and TL, also wavelength resolved. A new type of preparation using a hydraulic press avoids modifications of the natural TL signal. The effects of acid etching were also studied. All the samples turned out to be composed of microquartz and megaquartz. The glow-curves gave indication of incomplete burning through the appearance of a peak at about 450 degrees C (heating rate 8 degrees C s(-1)), contrary to the well-annealed samples that presented a composite peak in the 280-380 degrees C region. Encouraging results have been obtained in the analysis of the TL emission spectra. Three emission regions have been detected: 260-330 nm, 350-500 nm and 580-640 nm. While only the middle one is usually detected by conventional 2D instrumentation, also the UV region could be probably proposed for dating burnt flint
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